Marie: Can you tell us how aromatherapy can help us reach other dimensions?
Mikael: First, essential oils are the "life force" of plants. Unlike fatty oils, these are subtle, volatile, and aromatic liquids extracted, through distillation, from flowers, aromatic plants, fruits, and herbs, and the seeds, leaves, branches, and bark of trees.
Tons of plant material are required for just a few hundred pounds of oil. They are one of the most valuable and oldest form of medicine known to human beings. Most natural essential oils are antiseptic. This is an important aspect, but used vibrationally, natural grade "A" essential oils act as a booster since they raise tremendously the vibration of the person who wears them. It will balance the physical, emotional and spiritual states.
On one hand, essential oils help the body fight certain bacteria and viruses, to strengthen the immune system, but on a more subtle level, it helps us become more in tune with our Higher Consciousness. As you know a newborn first recognizes his mother by her odor more than her sight or sound. Since the dawn of time, smell is one of the most important ways to recognize and discriminate what is good for us and what is not; it tells us what to get and what to avoid. When you use the right oil, and I mean a high grade essential oil --preferably from plants that grow in your surroundings-- it helps you reach a higher state of consciousness, you become more energized, more vibrant and gain charisma. The royal families knew that and they had their own perfumes that nobody else had the right to use. One of the essential oils most valued by kings and queens was the true Rose oil.

Unfortunately, since the beginning of the century, perfumers succeeded in developing a full range of synthetic perfumes which only hide the undesirable odors and imitate true natural essence. Not only do they not compare with true essential oil, but they lower, for sure, the vibrational level of the user and they are known to cause asthma and other allergies.
True Rose oil, for example, is rare because it takes 150 fresh roses to make one drop (about $1 a drop), while a synthetic rose perfume sells for $2 per oz. which no doubt explains why they replaced the true ones. The chemical labs developed a wide range of synthetic perfumes: lily of the valley, lilac, peach, apricot, banana, apple, cherry, strawberry, raspberry, etc. These fragrances cannot be extracted from natural sources. They are just a mixture of chemicals with not one drop of Mother Nature in them. They can even be dangerous because our sense of smell become confused, as we are naturally attracted to what smells good. So, we don't know we are being misled. Don't be fooled by aromatic soaps, bath oils, candles, etc... with these fragrances. To raise your consciousness level, use only true essential oils because this will enable you to interact with the subtle kingdoms.

Marie: But with so many oils on the market now, how can you identify the "pure" ones?
Mikael: Since most essential oils are now synthetic and produced in a laboratory, you have to be aware of imitations that can destroy your own sense of smell and keep you away from your reality. Only pure oils contain a full spectrum of compounds that cheap imitations simply cannot duplicate. A major herb company just started a line of pure essential oils and discovered that and I quote: "Surprisingly a majority of essential oils currently on the market are tainted by foreign substances. Because of the enormous amount of raw product used to make wholly natural essential oils, nearly every other product on the market has been polluted with lower quality, commercial-grade oils or contain other chemical substances to reduce the cost or increase the profit margin --a fact not usually revealed on the label." Using high-tech Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometer analysis, quality standards can now be measured. But you can also use strict olfactory (smell) evaluation, country of origin, method of extraction, and plant species as measuring factors. All the oils I use are either steam distilled or cold expressed (citrus oil).

Marie: What are the best oils you recommend for people living in North America?
Mikael: In the North, conifers, of course, are among the most appropriate ones. Above all, firs and pines like Black and White Spruce, Red Pine, Arbor Vitae, (known by the native Americans as the tree of life), Larch, Hemlock Fir, Wild Tansy, and of course for those who live in the South, all citruses, and Monard, Virginia Cedarwood, Cyprus, Juniper of Virginia which is usually called Cedarwood (wonderful to tonify the veins and to shrink internal and external hemorrhoids.) For the West, the Texas Cedarwood, also called Mexican Cedar can be used.

Canadian Tsuga --which is abundant in Quebec and the North-Eastern region of the U.S., helps you get in the "here and now," so you can get rid of fear, the first and most important obstacle to the ascension towards other dimensions. Breathe it consciously and put a few drops on your solar plexus or your hands. For a loving touch, massage your feet with it. And for someone experiencing fear or who is too tense to meditate, put a few drops of Hemlock Fir on your hands and apply it on the adrenals, in the middle of your back, (it helps the circulation and the production of adrenaline). You will feel more energized and uplifted.

If you travel, make sure to carry a bottle of Canadian Tsuga with you, as it promotes a smooth transition and prepares you for the energies of the countries you are visiting. For Europe you add Lavender and Sage; for Asia, Palmarosa; for the South, some Citrus (lemon, orange...); for Africa, add Basil. Apply the oils 2 to 3 days before departure, on your hands and feet. Do the same while you are on the plane and for two to three days after.

And with Christmas around the corner, Balsam Fir is the traditional Christmas tree known for its antiseptic properties. Its fragrance brings joy. If you add a few drops of Cinnamon oil, you will have a cheerful mix for the season, as Cinnamon brings joy, abundance and prosperity!

Marie: How can we use essential oils?
Mikael: As you know aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for the benefit of the body, the
spirit and the soul. It enhances physical, emotional and spiritual health and beauty. Here are simple
ways to use them:

(1) An essential oil can be inhaled, thus reaching the brain which in turn responds to the particular
scent affecting our emotions and chemical balance. Put a few drops on a handkerchief and
breathe in deeply.

(2) If you mix it with a neutral oil (almond, olive, safflower, canola, jojoba, or sunflower), it will make a wonderful massage oil. Your body will absorb it and carry it throughout via the circulatory system to reach the appropriate internal organs.

(3) Use a diffuser which will send tiny drops of oil in the air.

(4) You can also take one drop internally with honey. Not all essential oils can be taken internally. Only those extracted from herbs used in the kitchen, like Aniseeds, Chamomile, Cinnamon, Coriander, Fennel, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, etc. and are, of course, 100% pure and natural.
If you breathe in essential oil or place it on your feet and behind your ears, it will be distributed to every cell of your body in a few seconds and last 21 minutes. It will even penetrate a toe nail to reach the fungus underneath ( with Arbor Vitae). It may also be worn as a perfume or on the bottom of your feet, neck, face, back, wrist, and on your heart. If you do not like the smell of an oil, it is usually because it is not appropriate for you. Each person responds differently to an aromatic stimulus. Try one and enjoy what was once available only to the "elite."

(5) You can also use a drop of Thyme mixed with honey for sore throats.
Thanks to my many friends throughout the world, I carry just about every essential oil, all of which are top quality. No fillers are used in my products. I also carry other wonderful natural products like Shea Butter which comes from the nuts of an African tree. Its natural vitamins A, D and E rejuvenate, protect and smooth your skin. It also fights wrinkles and dry skin without leaving your skin oily. Or some organic tinctures like Echinacea (to help fight a cold) and others that can help with Acne and PMS."

You can special order most anything.

* "Zayat" in Arabic means "the one who makes oils," which is what Mikael's ancestors have done for centuries in Syria. Mikael has a Master's degree in education, speaks 7 languages, and gives workshops in the USA and Canada. To order or for more information, contact Marie Allizon in Washington Tel. 703.847.6147. Or order through this website: http://www.4Dshift.com

Aromatherapy is the practice of using fragrant, pure essential oils to enhance the body, mind and spirit. The ancient Egyptians used aromatic spices and oils in cosmetics, religious rituals and as medicine. The use of aromatics was also prevalent in the Greek and Roman civilizations. Today essential oils are used to promote emotional wellness by calming, relaxing, rejuvenating or energizing. Essential oils are obtained by the process of steam distillation using specific parts of aromatic plants. While aromatherapy may involve training and in-depth knowledge of the properties and effects of essential oils, it may also be practiced simply and safely to add beautiful aromas to our environment each day.

Many people are not aware that there are several grades of essential oils, and that less than 1% of the oils that come into the U.S. can be considered of the highest grade, or therapeutic grade for the use of aromatherapy. The lower grades are used for industrial purpose (fragrance, food, laundry detergents, toiletry). They can have an appealing fragrance, but they are synthetic and usually cut with toxic solvents. However, they will not produce the beneficial biochemical and electromagnetic effects that therapeutic grade essential oils will. In fact, if they have been adulterated, they can be harmful instead of beneficial!

A therapeutic grade oil must use a state of art distillation process which must be at low pressure, and it takes much more time. It is done with natural spring water and exclusively in stainless steel distiller. Then the oil is stored to age from 2 weeks to five months in a cool dark place to gain its full aroma. For example the industrial grade lavender takes about 30' to distill 85% of the oil but it can takes one hour and half more to extract the 15% remaining oil. The therapeutic grade lavender would distill for at least two hours to extract the various molecules.
"The extra time and care are worth it. Therapeutic grade oils support us on all levels simultaneously: they work with our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual being to heal, balance, integrate and expand our well-being and awareness, gradually raising our frequencies and grounding joy in our bodies.

Essential oil blends (we have 90) are a combination of essential oils blended to produce a specific effect or feeling. Some of our most popular blends are: ENERGY put a few drops on your adrenals (just above your waist in the back) and you will feel much more energetic and also you will eat less during the day; ABUNDANCE rub a drop on your wrists and hands and touch what needs joy and money; or VALENTINE put a couple drops on your wrists behind your ears, or on your heart. GARDEN and SLEEP WELL are also favorite. Because essential oils are very concentrated, use drops of it sparingly.

Your essential oils are best stored in a cool (60-70oF), dark place and will stay fresh for up to 3 years (18 months for citrus oils). If you are pregnant, suffer from epilepsy or heart problems, it is best that you consult your health practitioner before using essential oils. Keep them away from children, your eyes and tender mucus membranes
You can special order most anything. Mikael Zayat gives workshops and readings in order to create YOUR OWN PERFECT OIL. For the next opportunity after New York, consult our website: www.4Dshift.com.